Distributed power plant architecture in a shared infrastructure network

With the increased need of communications, the challenge and success of telecom operators lies in reaching the end user in a shorter time with business sustainability. This needs a faster setup time of their BTS stations, still keeping their CAPEX and OPEX as minimum as possible. Infrastructure sharing in this context has become apparent where the competitors have to become partners. Sharing of Passive and Active infrastructure is already a popular model existing today. Electronic infrastructure containing base tower station, microwave radio equipment, switches, antennas, transceivers for signal processing and transmission are considered as Active Infrastructure. Non-electronic infrastructure such as tower, shelter, air-conditioning equipments, diesel generator, battery, electrical supply, technical premises and easements & pylons that account for nearly 60 percent of network rollout costs are considered as Passive infrastructure. Tower, Shelter, air-conditioning equipment, premises form physical assets of passive infrastructure, which will normally have only the capital investments and not the recurring investment. Electrical Power Supply, Battery and DG set are used to supply the required DC Power for the operation of active infrastructure. In a shared passive infrastructure, cost incurred in the process of providing uninterrupted DC supply are generally shared by the users on monthly basis or as per any other mutual agreement. The aim of this paper is to present a possible way of economical distributed Power plant architecture in such a shared infrastructure network. Power Plant architecture, parameters to be monitored, alternate energy sources, battery health monitoring, maximizing the DG efficiency, Energy efficiency mode of operation of Power Plant, power consumption by individual operator have been discussed in detail in this paper.